Counselling for Children & Families in BC & Alberta

“You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.” Plato

At Creative Minds Consulting, play therapy and family counselling help children in Coquitlam, BC and Medicine Hat, AB express themselves in ways that words often cannot. The goal is to reduce behavioural and emotional challenges that may be interfering with your child's daily life, learning, or relationships.

Through specialized play-based techniques, we support better communication and understanding between you and your child. Child therapy sessions are delivered by our Registered Clinical Counsellors and Registered Social Workers, supervised by Carolina Hall, R. Psych, Certified Play Therapy Supervisor, a rare credential that reflects deep training in this specific approach. Our approach is informed by an understanding of both cognitive and emotional development, as well as the natural challenges that arise throughout each stage of growth.

We use a variety of creative modalities to engage your child in a way that feels natural, safe, and meaningful:
🎭 Puppet Play
🎨 Art & Drawing
🏖️ Sand Tray
🎵 Music
🧱 Clay
📖 Storytelling & Creative Play

Sand tray therapy is one of our specialties, a dedicated area of our office where children use objects and miniatures to process feelings and experiences they may not yet have words for. It's a niche within play therapy that few practices in the Coquitlam or Medicine Hat area offer.

These activities allow children to explore their inner world, process emotions, and build healthy coping skills, all within a space that feels playful, safe, and supportive.

We take a trauma-informed, neurodivergent-affirming approach with every family we work with, and we don't just work with your child in isolation. Parent coaching sessions are built into our process, so you leave each stage of therapy with practical tools and take-home resources to reinforce your child's progress at home.

Areas of Focus:

• Anxiety and/or Depression

• Bullying and Peer Relationships

• Anger Management

• Trauma, Fears, Phobias

• Self-Harm Behaviours

• Separation or Divorce

• Self-esteem/Confidence

• Social skills (ex. Autism)

• Eating Disorders and/or Body Issues

• Parent or Teen Conflict

• Managing ADHD

What to Expect at Your Child's First Appointment

Starting therapy can feel like a big step, especially for a young child or a nervous parent. Your first appointment is focused on getting to know your child and your family, not diving straight into treatment. We'll walk through your child's history, what's been happening at home or school, and what you're hoping to get out of therapy. Your child is welcome to explore the play space during this time so they can get comfortable before any deeper work begins. By the end of the first session, you'll have a better sense of the approach we recommend and what the next few sessions will look like.

In-Person and Virtual Counselling Options

We offer both in-person and virtual counselling to fit your family's needs and comfort level. In-person sessions are available at our Coquitlam, BC office and our Medicine Hat, AB office, where your child has full access to our play space, sand tray area, and creative therapy tools. For families who prefer to meet from home, or who live outside the Tri-Cities or Medicine Hat area, we also offer virtual counselling across British Columbia and Alberta province-wide. Many families choose a mix of both, starting in person and moving to virtual sessions as needed, or vice versa, depending on what works best week to week.

Frequently Asked Questions

Also alternatively offering Counselling For Adults

To book or discuss family counselling